How do I solve two simultaneous equations?

Supposing we have two equations x+2y=5 and 3x-y=10 and we want to find x and y we can use the following techinque. Multiply both the RHS and the LHS of the second equation by 2, giving us 6x-2y=20. Then add this to the first equation, giving us 7x=25 thus x=25/7. The substitute the value for x to find y: 25/7 +2y=5 => y=5/7. Alternatively, we can manipulate the first equation to give us x=5-2y and substitute in the second equation: 15-6y-y=10 => -7y=-5 =>y=5/7 and then substitute in the first equation to find x. Remember, to find the value of n variables we need n equations, except in special cases.

TX
Answered by Theano X. Maths tutor

3943 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Vectors a and b are defined by a = 2i + 3j and b = 4i - 2j, find 3a-b in terms of i and j


Work out 7/8 × 3/4


The value of a new car is £18,000. The value of the car decreases by 25% in the first year and 12% in each of the next 4 years. Work out the value of the car after 5 years?


Find the volume of a cone with radius 13cm and with a perpendicular height of 9cm.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning